Soaring responsibilities in HR departments are putting a strain; it's now leadership's moment to take charge, according to a recent survey.
In a recent survey conducted by Research Without Barriers between the 17th and 26th of June 2025, it was revealed that a staggering 88% of HR teams have experienced at least one area of their role suffering due to overwork. The survey involved 302 senior HR professionals working for companies with more than 10+ employees in the UK.
The survey findings highlight a variety of issues, with almost a third (32%) of HR teams experiencing reduced work-life balance, and 29% reporting a decline in job satisfaction. Mental health support is the first initiative to suffer when workloads become unmanageable for 28% of HR teams, while employee experience and engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are also affected, with 25% of HR teams reporting these as the first initiatives to be compromised.
The survey results suggest that leadership is not adequately supporting HR teams in managing increased responsibilities without compromising these critical workplace priorities. Leadership can help by providing targeted resources, training, and strategic alignment focused on well-being, inclusion, and engagement.
Some key ways leadership can help include streamlining HR tools and technology to reduce administrative burden, equipping managers with skills and support to handle complex employee needs, embedding accountability for emotional health, building partnerships with mental health providers, promoting flexible, asynchronous engagement activities, ensuring workloads are equitable and reasonable, supporting career development and lifelong learning, and modeling leadership behaviors that prioritize well-being.
The survey by PayFit, which involved 302 senior HR professionals, also revealed that digitisation is common in payroll (62%), time and attendance tracking (44%), recruitment and applicant tracking (42%), and benefits administration (39%). However, only 30% of leaders have provided extra budget for technology to handle core operations. Furthermore, AI employee usage policies are a new responsibility for 56% of these HR teams, but only 30% of leaders have taken steps to address this.
The survey findings also show that nearly two-thirds (64%) of HR teams are working beyond their limits, and one in five (20%) HR professionals are considering leaving the profession. With such a high percentage of HR teams struggling under the weight of overwork, it is crucial that leadership takes action to support HR teams and ensure that these critical workplace priorities are not compromised.
- The survey findings indicate that mental health support is often the first initiative to suffer when workloads become unmanageable for HR teams, highlighting the importance of leadership providing support and resources to maintain mental health in the workplace.
- With almost a third of HR teams experiencing reduced work-life balance and 29% reporting a decline in job satisfaction, it's clear that leadership needs to prioritize workplace well-ness and promote initiatives that foster a positive work environment.
- To address the issue of HR teams working beyond their limits, leadership can streamline HR tools and technology, equip managers with necessary skills, and ensure workloads are equitable and reasonable to reduce administrative burden and improve well-being.
- The survey results emphasize that leadership has a role in promoting health and well-ness, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supporting career development, as these initiatives are often the first to be compromised when HR teams are overworked.
